Caf Champions League heartbreak for Sundowns as Esperance advance to final

The Tunisian giants won the tie 2-0 on aggregate after the beating Sundowns by the same scoreline at home last week and will take on Egyptian side Al Ahly for the title.

Sundowns came into the contest confident of overturning the one goal first-leg deficit and made a point of making a quick start.

The match came to a grinding halt after 20 minutes though when lightning and thunder struck around the stadium that also saw one of the floodlights at the venue go out.

After a 1-hour and 10-minute delay the match eventually resumed and the hosts should have taken the lead on the night just before halftime when Peter Shalulile saw his header from point-blank range saved by visiting goalkeeper Amanallah Memmiche.

Sundowns were always playing on the front foot and continued in that vain in the second half but could not break down a rock-solid Esperance defence.

The South African champions were then hit by a sucker-punch when totally against the run of play the visitors broke away and substitute Raed Bouchniba beat Ronwen Willliams from a tight angle.

The goal by the Tunisians meant Sundowns now needed to score three time in the final half hour to advance to the final and, while they gave it good go, it was never happening.

It was was more semifinal heartbreak for Masandawana as they now look to pick up the pieces and finish off their league campaign at home where they are close to sealing a seventh consecutive title.

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